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Parent page: Schematic Design Objects
A parameter set is a design directive that allows design specifications to be associated with a net-type object within a schematic design. For example, use a parameter set to declare two nets to be members of a differential pair. It is the presence of specifically named parameters in the parameter set that the software uses to determine which design directive you are placing.
Parameter sets are available for placement in the schematic editor only. Both default (empty) and pre-defined (Differential Pair) parameter set directives are available. The only difference between an empty parameter set and a pre-defined parameter set is that the pre-defined parameter sets include a parameter, as described below.
Access the corresponding commands from the main Place menu as follows:
• | Place » Directives » Parameter Set | ![]() |
• | Place » Directives » Differential Pair | ![]() |
A parameter set can be used to attach parameters to a:
After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will enter design directive placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following actions:
Additional actions that can be performed during placement – while the parameter set is still floating on the cursor are:
This method of editing allows you to select a placed parameter set directive directly in the design space and change its location or orientation graphically.
When a parameter set directive is selected in the design space, a dashed box will appear around the directive. The box encloses the area occupied by the directive only. For each visibility-enabled member parameter of the set, a dashed line will be visible, connecting the text field of the parameter to the body of the directive, which affirms association:
Click anywhere inside the dashed box then drag to reposition the parameter set as required. While dragging, the parameter set can be rotated (Spacebar/Shift+Spacebar) or mirrored (X or Y keys to mirror along the X-axis or Y-axis).
The parameter set's text fields (which can be graphically edited independently of the parent directive) can only be adjusted with respect to size by changing the Style option on the Schematic – Defaults page of the Preferences dialog. As such, editing handles are not available when any of these objects are selected.
Click anywhere inside the dashed box then drag to reposition the text object as required. While dragging, the text object can be rotated (Spacebar/Shift+Spacebar) or mirrored (X or Y keys to mirror along the X-axis or Y-axis).
If the Enable In-Place Editing option is enabled on the Schematic – General page of the Preferences dialog. You will be able to edit the value for a parameter directly in the design space (with the exception of parameters that have been added as rules). Select the text object and then click once to invoke the feature. Type the new value as required and then click away from the text object or press Enter to effect the change.
The following methods of non-graphical editing are available.
Panel page: Parameter Set Properties
This method of editing uses the associated Parameter Set dialog and the Properties panel mode to modify the properties of a parameter set object.
The Parameter Set dialog on the first image, and the Parameter Set mode of the Properties panel on the second image
After placement, the Parameter Set dialog can be accessed by:
During placement, the Parameter Set mode of the Properties panel can be accessed by pressing the Tab key. Once the parameter set is placed, all options appear.
After placement, the Parameter Set mode of the Properties panel can be accessed in one of the following ways:
The Properties panel supports multiple object editing, where the property settings that are identical in all currently selected objects may be modified. When multiples of the same object type are selected manually, via the Find Similar Objects dialog or through a Filter or List panel, a Properties panel field entry that is not shown as an asterisk (*
) can be edited for all selected objects.
Panel pages: SCH List, SCH Filter
A List panel allows you to display design objects from one or more documents in tabular format, enabling quick inspection and modification of object attributes. Used in conjunction with appropriate filtering – by using the applicable Filter panel or the Find Similar Objects dialog – it enables the display of just those objects falling under the scope of the active filter – allowing you to target and edit multiple design objects with greater accuracy and efficiency.
Multiple parameters can be added to the same parameter set object. In the image below, the Differential Pair directive was placed to touch the edge of the blanket. It was then edited to include a Net Class Name parameter and a Rule parameter. When the design is synchronized with the PCB, these additional elements will be created:
ROCKET_IO_LINES
, containing the 16 named nets that are under the blanketInNetClass('ROCKET_IO_LINES')
By using a blanket, only one Differential Pair directive is required. As well as defining the differential pairs, it also specifies a Net Class and a Differential Pair Routing rule. These nets will become members of that Net Class, and that Net Class will be used to scope the Differential Pair Routing rule.
RX0_N
and RX0_P
on the schematic will generate a differential pair object on the PCB with the name RX0
. You can rename differential pair objects on the PCB side only.Contact our corporate or local offices directly.